A/N: Greetings again loyal readers. If you are in the States: most major cinemas will have tickets for Order of the Phoenix available for presale on the 28th of June. Well here it is, the chapter you've all been waiting for: the justification for the "M" Rating, so beware. Sorry it has taken so long to update, but since the last time I update I started my first job, moved into my first apartment, and went home to California for a week. It has also been difficult to write this chapter and probably the ones to follow because I'm now stepping away from JK Rowling's universe, meaning all the information about my two characters has been completely exhausted and that this story will most likely become AU. Anyway that's for me to deal with and you guys to enjoy so without further ado: read, relax, and review--LadyWave
Chapter 6 Tell Me
The sounds of the grandfather clock's merciless ticking were the only ones that emanated from the beautifully appointed front parlor of the Johnson's London home. On one sofa sat the stoic form of Colin Johnson, Angelina's father, and on the other was the lightly perspiring form of her fiancé. Tension hung in the air like a thick fog; her father's current stance usually brought quidditch stars to their knees and was one that she had actively been avoiding since childhood. In this moment she couldn't be anything other than proud of Fred, for standing his ground. She gently placed the tea service on the table between them while warily eyeing both parties for any sign of change. Without any response, she exited from the room sliding the pocket doors closed behind her and returning to the kitchen where she and her mother had set up base camp.
"Well?" her mother's voice inquired.
"No change."
"At all?"
"No."
"Goodness, it's been nearly three hours, why would this be taking so long?"
"Honestly Mum, I don't think Dad has actually said anything, or blinked for that matter…poor Fred." Angelina rested her head on her mother's shoulder.
"Now now, dahlin." Her mother patted her on the back, much as she had done when Angie was younger. "I think the fact that your father hasn't killed him yet should stand for something, I wouldn't be too worried, you know your father is all bluster."
"This was supposed to be a happy day."
"And it still is my dear, I am so happy for the both of you." She took her daughter's face into her hands, searching her face. "I can't believe my little Lina is getting married."
Angelina quickly moved to shrug her off, preferring to sit down at the bay window in the breakfast nook, resolutely staring off into space, and maybe in the most hidden part of her soul, second-guessing what her father probably perceived as a rash decision.
"Well why don't we take a turn about the garden?"
"Mum I don't think that now…"
"Lina I refuse to watch you sit and stare for another three hours. Let's take a turn about the garden, some fresh air will do you good and I can tell you some hilarious stories about your father snorkeling in Jamaica without fear of being overheard."
With one last sidelong glance towards the parlor, Angelina retreated outside with her mother, hoping for a sign that Fred might make it out of that room alive.
Meanwhile…
Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock, Fred wanted to torture that damn clock, give it a slow-agonizing death, and yet it had been his only company since Colin had barked for Angelina and Tessa to give them some time to talk. He didn't know how much longer he could stand sitting there waiting for Mr. Johnson to say something.
He had envisioned this day a little differently, thinking that asking for Angie father's permission would be merely a perfunctory formality. Tessa had been so excited, but Colin hadn't moved, not an inch, for three hours. Frustrated but undaunted, Fred helped himself to a cup of tea and met his would be father-in-law in the eye. His own crystalline blue-eyes meeting stoic brown full of a challenge that plainly said he wasn't going anywhere.
"Look Mr. Johnson, I can see where you might have some reservations but I want you to understand something…I do love your daughter."
"Hah!" Well it wasn't much but at least it was a reaction.
"Sir you should never have any doubts on that score."
"How old are you again son?"
"Just made 18, sir."
"Precisely!"
"I'm sorry I don't quite follow you."
"You both are barely of age and you want to jump into marriage. You barely know each other."
"Excuse me, but I've known Angelina for seven years and loved her for at least two that I'm conscious of."
"Erroneous! You were and in many ways still are children. Don't think I don't know what's going on. You think because there is a war on that you two need to go out and do something rash. It's just like last time, people running off and getting married, having children well before they should. Dammit Fred I expected you to be more level-headed, having your own business."
"Sir, we're just getting married. I want Angelina to be taken care of, in case something happens to me, the protection of the Weasley name, the shop, everything."
"And the Johnson name isn't enough for her?" Colin fumed. "Weasley name, yes I hear your sister-in-law, Mrs. Bill Weasley, is already expecting her first child in the Spring. You lot are like rabbits."
"Now wait just a minute…" Fred tried to interject.
Colin had finally risen and taken a threatening stance behind the sofa, his voice rattling the pictures on the walls. "I refuse to let you turn my daughter into some kind of Weasley baby-machine."
"For the last time, neither one of us see children in the future, not even in the immediate future. I just want to make our situation permanent. I want Angelina to be a part of my life."
"That's another problem."
"I don't understand what you are getting at this time…sir." Fred too was now angry, he had always had a decent relationship with Angie's father before, and he knew her family was everything to her, but a line had to be drawn somewhere.
"What I'm getting at is that every aspect of her life is already wrapped up in yours. She works at your shop, lives in your flat, you both have the same friends. She hasn't seriously picked up a broom in six months; her life is your life."
"I was under the impression that she was happy; that this whole situation was what she wanted."
At this Colin finally took pause, because he knew in his heart that his daughter had never been happier, not even when she had made quidditch captain. She was almost glowing this morning when she came into the foyer, on this boy's arm. A flash of her as small child flitted through his head as he began to realize what almost everyone else had known for some time: that this Fred Weasley would be the one to take his little girl away from him. While he may have wished it would have been a few more years off, he could not begrudge them a life together, not when Tessa's own father had tried to do the same to him. Still, in spite of all that, he had his own concerns.
"Look, Fred to be honest with you, you are a decent kid, you have your own successful business and I can say that I would be honored to have you as a part of our family…"
Fred, a bit shocked, managed to clip out an utterance of thank you.
"But these are my concerns. If you love my daughter as much as you say you do and know her as well as you think you do, you'll realize that she is a very passionate person. She does nothing half-measure."
"One of the many reasons I love her and also fear for her safety on a daily basis."
Colin smirked. "Be that as it may, right now she has devoted herself to loving you, to being a part of your world, regardless of what she wants. She's selfless that way, but everyone has their limit. I fear that one day she might wake up and realize that somewhere along the way her own goals disappeared. That one day you'll grow tired of her or she'll grow tired of herself."
Hah…it was sad when a man didn't even know his own child very well. He knew Angelina was happy and that these dire predictions of her father would never come to pass. These were just the tirades of a father losing his only child, a daughter no less, he felt sure that his own father had one planned for when Harry came 'round asking about Ginny.
"I can't predict the future, but I promise that I'll look after her, that I'm everything I'm working for is for her, she'll want for nothing."
"Well then I guess I can't rightly say no, can I?"
"Honestly Fred is the blindfold necessary."
"I swear you have no patience."
"We've been walking for a good hour already."
"It has not been an hour." Fred was incredulous; they couldn't have been walking for more than 20 minutes. The night air was cool against their skin as they walked down a quiet road outside of Gloucester.
It had taken him almost another hour to escape Angie's parents' house, but his plan was not going to be derailed. They stopped back at the flat long enough for Fred to grab a picture of a location that was close to their destination but far enough away that Angie would still have no idea where she was once they apparated. So far his evil plan was working…
"You're just going to have to hang on for a little while longer."
She stopped dead in her tracks, folded her arms across her chest. It was her position of resistance, stubborn mule that she was. He couldn't resist taking in the woman that was soon to be his wife. The fit body that drove him crazy by day and haunted his dreams at night, was nothing less than stunning tonight of all nights, the night he would lay everything he had at her feet. He approached her from the front, his fingertips slowly grazing up her arms in a manner he knew would slowly drive her mad. He traced the outline of her lips with his finger tips, and bent his head slightly to nip at her lower lip.
"It's a surprise, trust me its going to be worth it." He gently whispered across her face. "You wouldn't want to ruin it would you?"
Her voice was faint when she answered "No."
"The take my hand, stop being so grumpy, and come on."
Their path had given way to a large section of open pasture and he could almost see the outline of the thatched roof that was their destination. As they approached the rickety white gate that was somewhat off of it hinges, he guided her through but stopped short in the garden that was in a desperate need of attention. He raised his right hand to caress her face and draw the blindfold away from her eyes. Her expression was confused but he saw the light pop back into her eyes as if this was one of those crazy adventures they used to undertake back at Hogwarts.
"What's afoot? Did you get the old gang back together for some ill deeds again?"
He couldn't help but laugh at the hopefulness in her voice. "Unfortunately no, tonight is just about you and me."
"Oooo…." She said as she scampered away, peering inside the dusty windows. "Do you think we could go inside?"
"Yeah, I know the owner. I don't think he will mind." She made for the door, her curiosity clearly piqued. Since it was unlocked, she went ahead inside. He could only smirk and follow at a more leisurely pace. Her voice was echoing off the walls, as she moved from room to room.
"What's upstairs?"
"Don't know." He shrugged.
She answered by running upstairs and yelling down to him that there was the nicest bedroom and loft space.
"Oh really?" he said in a mock uninterested tone.
"Yeah really!" She said with a smile on her face as she came back downstairs. The view of the yard is great from up there too. Have you seen the size of it? You could put half a quidditch pitch back there."
"So you like it?"
"Are you kidding?"
"Great."
"Fred why did you bring me here?"
"Well my friend, the bloke that owns the place, wanted to get a female opinion on it. See he just proposed to this bird and he wanted to give it to her as a wedding present."
"Damn." She seemed disappointed.
"What's wrong?"
"I already began thinking about the color schemes I would put in here. You know how my imagination runs away from me, but wouldn't this have been a great place to start out, you know just you and me?"
"Tired of George already?
She laughed again, her laughter echoing off the walls. "You know I love your brother, but won't it be weird for him after we get married?"
"I suppose you are right. C'mon we better get going." He reached his hand out to take hers, palming a cold metal object at the same time. As her hand slipped into his just at the foot of the banister, she let out a little "o" sound.
"Wha?"
"Since you like the place so much, I figured I'd give it to you now." His smile was large, because the look on her face at that moment was one he would remember for the rest of his life, as she realized that the key between their hands was they key to the house.
"Oh Fred!!!" She leapt into his open arms. "Really, it's ours?"
"Only if you want it."
She rained kisses on his face, but he could also taste the salt on her cheeks. "Angel, why are you crying?"
"Because I love you," and this time she smiled and started to laugh once more.
"Are you laughing and crying at the same time?"
"Hey, laughter through tears is my favorite emotion!" Soon she resumed kissing him in earnest and it was not long before she had excited his poor body into quite a state.
She broke their kiss long enough to ask "Is that a wand in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"
"C'mon let's go home." He set her down and turned away from him, trying to convince his body to calm down. Once again all he had to look forward to was a good wank at home, determined to make it to their wedding night, like she wanted. He then felt her warm body press against him, becoming acutely aware of her lush breasts pressing against his back, and her lithe arms winding around his waist.
"I thought we were home." She whispered. She began to nibble and suck on his neck, right above his pulse in the spot she knew would make his resolve melt.
Fred let out of low guttural sound, but suddenly turned around placing his arms firmly on her shoulders and putting a good body's worth of space between them. "Dammit, Angelina I won't be able to control myself if you keep this up." He let go of her panting now.
"I'm not asking you to." Her voice was low and husky as she closed the space between them.
"What about your father?"
"He's not here."
As she sauntered closer to him, he gulped painfully "The wards and enchantments."
"To my knowledge, we're in our own house, they won't work here. Essentially I'm all yours." She began to unsteadily button her blouse, a slight blush creeping into her cheeks.
He laid his hand upon hers to steady them, pleading with her just so he was certain. "Are you sure this is what you want?"
"I've never been more certain." Her gaze was steady and sure, it appeared that the night they had been denying themselves since the first time he kissed her at the Yule Ball in 1994, was finally upon them.
It was then that all the blood in his brain rushed southwards with startling quickness, and felt basic human instinct take over. He watched rather than moved his hands towards the buttons of her blouse, noticing the slight rise and fall of her breast. He was amazed at his own control, because his loins wanted him to just rip off her clothes, throw her on the floor and take her roughly, but it couldn't be that way especially not with the woman to whom he was giving his name. After he removed her top, he paused to stare and could not resist stealing a kiss.
Angie felt as if her heart was going to pound through her chest, Fred was being so slow and deliberate and all Angie wanted to do was rush, a fact that she chalked up to virginal eagerness. He kept looking at her as if he wanted to devour her, his wilder rougher side threatening to take over. It excited and frightened her all at once, but she was still touched when he stopped to transfigure a more hospitable surrounding. Soon the room was aglow with candles and cushions were strewn about the floor creating a room that reminded her of the Moorish Palaces of Spain.
Fred took her by the hand and led over to the pillows, where they finished undressing. There they stood naked facing each other taking care to memorize every freckle, dimple, birthmark, bruise, and scar. He wanted her to make the first move, his skin burning for her touch. He had to be sure that she was okay with this and being his own Angel, sensing his desire moved into the circle of his arms and allowed Fred to make her belong to him.
He began to drive her wild with the feathery soft caresses, whispered moans along her nape, and gentle kisses at her breast. She began to ache for something more as her body began to spiral out of control with fevered ecstasy. She wanted something, anything to satisfy this quivering sensation in her belly, but her Fred was being cautious and Angie knew that in this moment she wanted to be possessed body and soul, not coddled.
"Fred…" even he doubted that she knew how incredibly sexy it was for her to say his name like that.
"Yes love."
"I want…."
"I know what you want."
It was then that she locked eyes with him and pleaded with him to give it to her. He entered her as slowly as he could; trying his best not to cause her great pain, watching her face for any sign that he should stop. Her face made a slight "o" as she surrendered her virginity to him, as he waited for her to adjust to his size, waited for a sign to finally let loose the animal inside him.
"Mmmmmm….that's nice."
A slightly forced chuckle escaped his lips, as he rose above her body and began taking her over and over. "Tell me…" it was nothing but a gruff whisper the first time.
"Tell…you…what?" Her response a gasp of sighs.
"Tell me I'm the only the one." Just a bit farther.
"You know you are."
"Tell me there will never be another." Just a bit deeper.
"It's only you Fred."
Those were the words that took him to heaven, experiencing for the first time in his life, complete and utter bliss. They lay there in the glow of their lovemaking, dreaming of the children that would one day fill the house, the memories they would share, and believing that the future was nothing if not wholly theirs. Fred was just beginning to drift off to sleep when he heard his Angel whisper:
"I'm so glad that our first was with each other, because that means you will always be only mine."
He didn't have the heart to tell her that it wasn't his first time.